"One thing that stands out is the timing of the game itself: The matchup starts close to sunset and as the innings progress, you'll notice the sun slowly going down, shadows lengthening across the field and eventually the park lights illuminating the diamond and stadium. While this might seem like a cosmetic change, it's a nice addition as are the idle cutscenes, which seem to have a bit more personality this time around. This year seems to include players talking to each other as well as the Phillie Phanatic stomping up and down atop a dugout and getting the crowd rallied. However, the most amusing parts are the umpires, who seem to be a bit more creative. So far, I've seen umps take bats from players and pretend to jack homers out of the park as well as reel in large fish using the bat as a rod.

If you've played The Show before, you'll find that it's extremely easy to leap behind the controls and feel comfortable taking part in the action on the field. Players will have access to the pitcher and batter analysis tools to help determine the success of different players against a particular pitcher and vice versa. The demo also seems to be using the Umpire Personalities from previous years, but this could be one of the most explicit versions, as some pitches that you could swear were strikes will sometimes get called as balls. Even Vasgersian will comment on how "tight the strike zone is," which gives you a better sense of how the game will be called. However, there is an oddity that pops up during pitching. For one thing, without adjusting any of the Human sliders for pitching, you might find a large number of pitches will find their way into the dirt even if you time your button presses perfectly."

One feature that did stand out was the new option that allows players to manipulate the handicap on computer comebacks. No longer will you have to get frustrated as the CPU rallies late in a game to erase a large deficit thanks to its poor hitting (at least, as long as you've got that option turned off)

Does anyone know what he's talking about? Is he talking about sliders? Why do they give the sports demos to non sports fans.

Does anyone know what he's talking about? Is he talking about sliders? Why do they give the sports demos to non sports fans.

He is talking about a type of comeback logic which is off by default. It is not one sided logic either from what I was told. It flip flops back and forth for whoever is behind. So for example if you are leading, the cpu can get boost in attributes but if they take the lead then you can get a boost as well. It keeps the game close if you want to play that way. It is off by default so you do not have to worry about it being built into every game.

He is talking about a type of comeback logic which is off by default. It is not one sided logic either from what I was told. It flip flops back and forth for whoever is behind. So for example if you are leading, the cpu can get boost in attributes but if they take the lead then you can get a boost as well. It keeps the game close if you want to play that way. It is off by default so you do not have to worry about it being built into every game.

Thanks a lot! And you answered questions 2 and 3 before I had to ask them lol. Off for me, I can take a beating lol.

One thing I also saw mentioned was about check swings possibly being disabled. They are much harder to do in 09. They appear to be tied to player attributes maybe plate vision? Some batters can check easier than others. Last year you could check swing at will with anyone. It takes some getting used to at first. Just a heads up!!

He is talking about a type of comeback logic which is off by default. It is not one sided logic either from what I was told. It flip flops back and forth for whoever is behind. So for example if you are leading, the cpu can get boost in attributes but if they take the lead then you can get a boost as well. It keeps the game close if you want to play that way. It is off by default so you do not have to worry about it being built into every game.

thanks nem...good explanation.
Do you know if this is "on" by default in 08? I lost game 7 of the WS last night when I was up 7-2 in the 8th and the other team rallied to score NINE runs to win it no matter what I did. Either way, glad to see its an option this year

thanks nem...good explanation.
Do you know if this is "on" by default in 08? I lost game 7 of the WS last night when I was up 7-2 in the 8th and the other team rallied to score NINE runs to win it no matter what I did. Either way, glad to see its an option this year

This is something new for 09. There was no AI comeback code in the games. The developers even mentioned this when we were out there.

Yes...about the "comeback logic"....SCEA put it in there as an extra challenge.
It's nothing scripted(it's not like you can't win with it on)...it's just some boosts and dumps to the attributes according to the score.
At first I was a little leery...but once Brian explained it...it's just another dimension to the difficulty for those who want to be abused

I didn't play against nem.
My 17 K performance against Jim was enough.
One of the devs....walked by during the break and said...
"How can you be winning a game 3-0 and have 17 K's?"
I said it was the new Dave Kingman mode...all or nothing!!

They're fine. I actually prefer an always connected experience.
I'd really prefer an offline way to play, but its not a bother.
I don't really like them, and am more reluctant to buy a game because of it.
I won't buy them. I want my games offline.